Typewriter shelf



Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER 3,356,430

TYPEWRITER SHELF Filed March 29, 1966 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 I L l IIHII, /03/ t "w WI INVENTOR. KENNETH D. SCI-IREYER Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER TYPEWRITER SHELF l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1966 FIG. 4

K D. SCHREYER TYPEWRITER SHELF Dec. 5, 1967 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 29, 1966 FIG. 5

FIG.

Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER 3,356,430

TYPEWRITER SHELF Filed March 29, 1966 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 lllh liigp 75 6 Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER 3,

TYPEWRITER SHELF Filed March 29, 1966 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 a0\ FIG. [2

0' Fl 200 FIG. 14 fif 20/ F as j 94 Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER TYPEWR ITER SHELF l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 29, 1966 Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER 3,356,430

TYPEWRITER SHELF Filed March 29, l966 v 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER I 3,356,430

TYPEWRITER SHELF Filed March 29, 1966 12 SheetsSheet 1O FIG.2O

FIG.

K. D. SCHREYER TYPEWRITER SHELF Dec. 5, 1967 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed March 29, 1966 Dec. 5, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER 3,356,430

TYPEWRITER SHELF Filed March 29, 1966 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 @525 FIG. 26

United States Patent 3,356,430 TYPEWRITER SHELF Kenneth D. Schreyer, Doylestown, Pa., assignor to Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 11]., a corporafion of Illinois Filed Mar. 29, 1966, Ser. No. 538,255 27 Claims. (Cl. 312-208) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a pedestal and shelf construction comprising a pedestal including a body having a front drawer-receiving opening. At least one drawer mounted in the pedestal and in the closed position thereof closing all but a predetermined area of the drawer-receiving opening, a front pair of glides respectively mounted on the opposite inner sides of the body in general horizontal alignment with each other and in general longitudinal alignment with the predetermined area, a rear pair of glides respectively mounted on the inner sides of the body in general horizontal alignment and in general longitudinal alignment with the front pair of glides, a shelf mounted in the pedestal and extending outwardly therefrom through the predetermined area, the shelf including a substantially fiat top plate and a reinforcing sheet disposed adjacent to the underside of the top plate and having an inner end disposed within the pedestal and having an outer end extending from the pedestal, the reinforcing sheet including a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced-apart attachment portions disposed adjacent to the underside of the top plate and a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs disposed between adjacent pairs of the attachment portions and spaced from the underside of the top plate. Mounting bracket structure disposed within the pedestal and fixedly secured to the top plate, the mounting bracket structure having a pair of forward support surfaces disposed respectively upon the front pair of glides and a pair of hooks engaged respectively beneath the rear pair of glides, thereby to mount the shelf in the pedestal with the top plate extending outwardly therefrom through the predetermined area and supported in cantilever fashion with respect theret0,'a front plate secured to the top plate and filling the predetermined area and being disposed in vertical alignment with the front of the drawer when the drawer is in the closed position thereof, a modesty panel mounted on the underside of the shelf adjacent to one of the longitudinally extending edges thereof and extending downwardly therefrom toward the underlying support surface, and a support leg mounted on the lower end of the modesty panel and extending downwardly to rest upon the underlying support surface.

This invention relates to shelf constructions, and particularly to a typewriter shelf insertable in and mountable in a desk pedestal.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved shelf construction, and specifically an improved typewriter shelf or typewriter platform which is insertable in and mountable upon a desk pedestal, and fundamentally to provide an improved shelf formed es- 3,356,430 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 sentially of sheet metal that is simple in construction and economical in manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved typewriter shelf of the type set forth which is insertable in a drawer opening in a desk pedestal and including structure to engage a system of drawer-supporting glides mounted within the pedestal.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of the invention is to provide a typewriter shelf of the type set forth wherein a positive locking of the typewriter shelf in position is achieved without a separate and distinct locking mechanism.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pedestal and shelf construction of the type set forth wherein the pedestal includes a body having a drawer-receiving opening therein with a front pair of glides respectively mounted on the opposite inner sides of the body in general horizontal alignment and a rear pair of glides respectively mounted on the inner sides of the body in general horizontal alignment and in general longitudinal alignment with the front pair of glides, the shelf including a mounting bracket structure having a pair of forward support surfaces disposed respectively upon the front pair of glides and a pair of hooks engaged respectively beneath the rear pair of glides, thereby to mount the shelf in the pedestal and extending outwardly therefrom and supported in cantilever fashion with respect thereto.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of the invention is to provide a shelf that includes a substantially flat top plate, a reinforcing sheet disposed adjacent to the underside of the top plate and having an inner end disposed within the pedestal and an outer end extending outwardly therefrom,rthe reinforcing sheet including a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced,

apart attachment portions disposed adjacent to the underside of the top plate and a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs disposed between adjacent pairs of the attachment portions and spaced from the underside of the top plate, means securing at least the outer ends of the attachment portions to the underside of the top plate, and a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the inner end of the reinforcing sheet.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pedestal and shelf construction of the type set forth wherein at least one drawer is mounted in the pedestal and in the closed position thereof closes all but a predetermined area of the drawer-receiving opening, the shelf being mounted in the drawer-receiving opening and including a front plate filling the predetermined area and disposed in vertical alignment with the front of the drawer when the drawer is in the closed position thereof.

A further object is to provide an improved shelf construction of the type set forth wherein a modesty panel is mounted on the underside of the shelf adjacent to one of the longitudinally extending edges thereof and extending downwardly toward the underlying support surface.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts, whereby the above-' outlined and additional features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advan-.

tages, will best be understood by reference to'the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a single pedestal desk having a shelf positioned in the pedestal, the shelf being made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the desk and shelf construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the desk and shelf construction of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section with certain portions broken away as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 44 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 with certain portions broken away;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section with certain portions broken away as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view with certain portions broken away of the portion of the pedestal and shelf illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a further enlarged perspective view showing the engagement between the mounting bracket and the associated drawer glides used in mounting the shelf in the operative position thereof;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one corner of the typewriter shelf of FIGS. 1 to 8 with certain portions broken away to illustrate better the construction thereof;

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and showing a modification of the trim construction thereon;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a single pedestal desk having a second preferred form of a shelf positioned in the pedestal, the shelf also being made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the desk and shelf construction of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the desk and shelf construction of FIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section with certain portions broken away as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 1515 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 1616 of FIG. 15 with certain portions broken away;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view in vertical section with certain portions broken away as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 1717 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view with certain portions broken away of the portion of the pedestal and shelf illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a further enlarged perspective view showing the engagement between the mounting bracket and the associated drawer glides used in mounting the shelf in the operative position thereof;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a single pedestal desk having a shelf positioned in the pedestal and similar to FIG. 1, the shelf being shown provided with a modesty panel, all in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the desk and shelf construction of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the desk and shelf construction of FIGS. 20 and 21;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view in vertical section with certain portions broken away substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 23-23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a further enlarged view in vertical section of the material contained within the circle marked 24 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a view in vertical section along the line 25-25 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a view in vertical section along the line 2626 of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 2727 of FIG. 23.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 11 thereof, there is illustrated a single pedestal desk having in place therein a typewriter shelf 100 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. For purposes of illustration, the typewriter shelf 100 has been shown mounted in a lefthand pedestal in the desk 50, but it will be understood that the typewriter shelf 100 could likewise be mounted in a righthand pedestal, provided there are certain minor modifications of the parts as will be described more fully hereinafter. The desk 50 includes a desk top 51 at the righthand end of which is mounted an end panel 52 and at the left hand end of which is mounted a pedestal 60, the end panel 52 and the pedestal 60 being joined by a back panel 53 disposed toward the rear of the desk top 51. Also mounted on the desk top 51 is a center drawer 54 and a lock 55 which operates locking mechanism to lock the center drawer 54 in the closed position thereof and to lock the several drawers in the pedestal in the closed positions thereof. In order to support the desk 50 upon an underlying support surface, a first pair of legs 56 is provided beneath the end panel 52 and a second pair of legs 66 is disposed beneath the pedestal 60.

The construction of the pedestal 60 is further illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 8 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that there is provided a body 65, having in the front thereof a substantially rectangular drawer-receiving opening. Disposed immediately adjacent to the drawerreceiving opening in the pedestal 60 is a generally rectangular front frame 67 that extends completely around the drawer-receiving opening in the pedestal 60 and behind which is mounted a pair of vertically arranged drawer supports 60 disposed on the opposite sides of the body 65, the drawer supports 68 being in lateral alignment with each other and disposed substantially per-- pendicular and parallel to the vertical sections of the front frame 67. Mounted on the front frame 67 and the: drawer supports 68 are two pairs of shelf glides 69, preferably formed of a lubric material such as a synthetic: organic plastic resin, the preferred resin being an acetal resin such as that sold under the trademark Delrin. The: shelf glides 69 support a top shelf 61 thereon which inthe inner position thereof is fully disposed within the pedestal 60, the top shelf 61 being provided with thehandle 62 to facilitate movement thereof inwardly and outwardly with respect to the pedestal 60. Also mounted on the front frame 67 and the drawer supports 68 are opposed and aligned pairs of drawer glides that are also preferably formed of a lubric material, the preferred lubric material being the same as that from which are formed the shelf glides 69. A lower group of drawer roller and glide combinations supports a file drawer 63 that is provided with a handle 64 on the front thereof to facilitate movement of the file drawer 63 inwardly and outwardly with respect to the pedestal 60'.

There further is provided in the pedestal 60 a latch channel 57 mounted immediately to the rear of the front frame 67 on the outer or lefthand side of the pedestal 60 as viewed in FIG. 7, the latch channel 57 carrying a plurality of latches 58 mounted upon a cable 59, the position of the latches 58 and the cable 59 being controlled by the lock 55 so as to position the latches 58 into and out of engaging position with respect to keepers (not shown) on each of the drawers, such for example as the drawer 63. Further details of the construction of the above described parts of the desk 50 including further details of the construction of the pedestal 60 and the locking mechanism for the drawers therein are set forth in the copending application of Kenneth D. Schreyer Ser. No. 503,157, filed Oct. 23, 1965 and entitled Desk Construction.

Disposed between the top shelf 61 and the file drawer 63 is an open area in the drawer-receiving opening of the pedestal 60. Disposed in this open area and extending outwardly from the pedestal 60 is the typewriter shelf 100, the typewritef shelf 100 including more particularly a top 101 that is disposed entirely outside of the pedestal 60 and a mounting bracket 150 disposed within the pedestal 60 and engaging a set of the drawer glides 70 to mount the typewriter shelf 100 in the operative position thereof. The top 101 as may be best seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 includes a generally flat top plate 102, the top plate 102 including a generally rectangular portion disposed outwardly with respect to the pedestal 60 and a second narrower rectangular portion extending into the pedestal 60. Disposed beneath the top plate 102, and specifically the portion thereof extending outwardly beyond the pedestal 60, is an edging 108 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal hay"- ing been deformed to provide an attachment flange 104, a side flange 105, a mounting flange 106, an inturned flange 107, and an upturned flange 108. More specifically, the attachment flange 104 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 102 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the attachment flange 104 carrying thereon the mounting flange 106 which is disposed outwardly away from the underside of thetop plate 102 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 105 is integral with the mounting flange 106 and depends therefrom and extends slightly inwardly toward the center of the top plate 102, the flange 105 making an angle of for example 75 with respect to the mounting flange 106. The bottom flange 107 is disposed on the lower edge of the side flange 105 and extends inwardly substantially parallel to the flanges 104 and 106 and carries on the inner end thereof the upturned flange 103 that extends upwardly toward the top plate 102 and is disposed substantially normal thereto and to the bottom flange 107. As may be best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the edging 103 extends completely along the forward edge of the typewriter shelf 100, along the entire lateral edges of the typewriter shelf 100 and only part way inwardly along the edge of the top 101 disposed toward the pedestal 60. It further will be seen that the attachment flange 104 is cut out as at 109 at the several corners to permit bending of the remaining portions thereof without providing overlapping of the attachment flanges 104.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 102 and extending from the forward or lefthand edge thereof as viewed in FIG. 4 to the rearmost or righthand edge thereof as viewed in FIG. 4 is a reinforcing sheet 110 formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide attachment portions 111, ribs 112 having side walls 113, and connecting portions 114 at the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 111 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 102, there being a body of mastic 115 applied therebetween (see FIG. 5), the preferred mastic being a heat curing mastic sold under the trademark Presstite No. 719. The attachment portions 111 are further connected to the top plate 102 by welding as at 116, whereby both the mastic 115 and the welds 116 serve to interconnect the attachment portions 111 and the top plate 102 to provide a firm connection therebetween, the mastic 115 also serving to deaden sound transmission therebetween. The side walls 113 depend downwardly from the attachment portion 111 to form the ribs 112 which are spaced from the underside of the top plate 102. The connecting portions 114 are offset from the underside of the top plate 102 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flange 104 on the edging 103, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding at 116.

Also mounted beneath the typewriter shelf 100 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart reinforcing channels 120, each reinforcing channel 120 including a longitudinally extending main wall 121 and a pair of upwardly and outwardly diverging side flanges 122. As may be best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the reinforcing channels 120 extend from a point 6 disposed within the associated pedestal 60 outwardly beyond the forward portion of the pedestal 60 so as to reinforce the shelf at the critical juncture between the top 101 disposed outwardly with respect to the pedestal 60 and the mounting structure disposed within the pedestal 60. As may be best shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing channels are disposed within associated ones of the ribs 112 in the reinforcing sheet 110, and are further connected thereto as by welding at 116. There further is provided on each of the reinforcing channels 120 a weld nut 123 for reception of a bolt as will be described more fully hereinafter, it being understood that there are aligned openings in the reinforcing channels 120 and the associated ribs 112 to accommodate the passage of the associated bolts therethrough.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 102, and particularly on the portion thereof disposed outwardly with respect to the pedestal 60, see FIG. 6, is a covering 125, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, the preferred materials being those sold under the trademarks Textolite, Micarta and Formica. An adhesive is applied both to the upper surface of the top plate 102 and the lower surface of the covering 125 to provide a good bond therebetween, the preferred adhesive being a synthetic rubber resin adhesive of the contact type such as that sold under the trademark D-SOO by the Armstrong Cork Company, the two parts being oven heated to about 200 F. to drive off the volatile ingredients in the adhesive. The outer edge of the covering 125 extends slightly beyond the outer edge of the top plate 102 (see FIG. 10), the upper outer corner being slightly beveled as at 126.

There is provided around the periphery of the top 101, and specifically the portion around which is disposed the edging 103 as illustrated in FIG. 4, a decorative trim (see FIGS. 9 and 10 particularly). The trim 130 comprises a length of extruded aluminum metal including a decorative body 131 having a rounded or curved outer surface 132 extending from adjacent to the upper surface of the covering 125 and downwardly below the upper edge of the edging 103 and terminating in a bottom edge 133. Integral with the body 131 is a neck 134 from which extends an integral mounting tongue 135, the tongue 135 being concavely curved as viewed in FIG. 10 and having an inner end 136 disposed against the underside of the top plate 102. As constructed, the neck 134 and the mounting tongue 135 both lend resiliency to the trim at the respective points indicated, and, as is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 9, the trim 130 is installed upon the top 101 by progressively urging the mounting tongue 135 into the space defined between the outer edge of the top plate 101 and the mounting flange 106 on the edging 103. Preferably before installation, the mounting tongue 135 has a curvature such that the thickness thereof as viewed in FIG. 10 is greater than the space between the top plate 102 and the flange 106, whereby the mounting tongue 135 must be resiliently deformed upon insertion into that space, whereby the neck 134 and the inner end 136 are pressed against the underside of the top plate 102 while the lower surface of the mounting tongue 135 presses against the upper surface of the mounting flange 106. The resilient neck 134 also accommodates a small amount of movement between the trim body 131 and the mounting tongue 135, thereby to accommodate slight variance in the abutment between the body 131 and the covering 125, preferably the body 131 having an inwardly directed sharp edge 137 which bears into the covering 125 slightly below the upper surface thereof at the bevel 126.

Reinforcement is provided for the inner ends of the edging 103, i.e., the free ends disposed toward the reinforcing sheet 110 adjacent to the forward edge of the pedestal 60, by a pair of reinforcing brackets 140, see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 particularly. Each of the brackets 140 includes a first arm 141 suitably connected as by welding to the associated edging 103, and particularly to the inner surface of the side flange 105 thereof, and each includes a second arm 142 integral with the first arm 141 and disposed against the outer surface of the adjacent side wall 113 of the reinforcing sheet 110 and suitably secured thereto as by welding.

In order firmly and readily to mount the typewriter shelf 100 in the operative position within the pedestal 60, the mounting bracket 150 has been provided, the construction and connection of the bracket 150 being best illustrated in FIGS. to 8 of the drawings. As shown, the bracket 150 is formed integral from the single piece of sheet metal bent to provide a main wall 151, a rear flange 152, an upper flange 153, a front flange 154, a pair of side walls 155, a pair of lower flanges 156, a pair of lower walls 157, a pair of forward support surfaces 158 and a pair of hooks 160. More specifically, the main wall 151 is generally rectangular in shape and extends longitudinally from a point disposed just inwardly with respect to the front surfaces of the pedestal 60 (see FIG. 6), and rearwardly to a point disposed just forwardly of the drawer supports 68 and just rearwardly of the rear end of the top plate 102 and the reinforcing sheet 110. The lateral extent of the main wall 151 is slightly less than the lateral extent of the drawer-receiving opening in the pedestal 60, the lateral extent of the main wall 151 being seen best in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Extending along the entire rear edge of the main wall 151 is the rear flange 152 integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto. The top plate 102 has a downwardly directed rear flange 117 thereon which extends downwardly along the rear edge thereof to the lower edge of the reinforcing sheet 110 and to the top of the main wall 151, the rear surface of the rear flange 117 lying against the front surface of the rear flange 151. Formed integral with the upper edge .of the rear flange 152 is the forwardly directed upper flange 153 that overlies and rests upon the top surface of the top plate 102. Accordingly, it will be seen that the rear end of the top 101 is engaged between the main wall 151 and the upper flange 153 of the mounting bracket 150 and abuts against the rear flange 152 thereof.

As may be best seen in FIG. 5, the forward edge of the main wall 151 carries the front flange 154 extending downwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto, there further being front flanges 164 formed on the forward edge of each of the side walls 155, the front flanges 154 and 164 lying in the same plane and having the upper corners thereof cut away and cooperating to form a continuous flange as is best seen in FIG. 5. In order to hold the parts in the position illustrated, a pair of front bolts 162 is provided extending upwardly through aligned openings in the main wall 151, the reinforcing rib 112, the reinforcing channel 120 and engaging in the associated weld nut 123. A pair of rear bolts 165 is also provided extending through aligned openings in the top plate 102, the reinforcing rib 112 and the main wall 151 and being provided with nuts 166 on the lower ends thereof to hold the parts in the assembled position.

The mounting bracket 150 is mounted upon two pairs of the drawer glides 70, and before describing the details of the mounting bracket side walls 155 and the support surfaces 157 and the hooks 160 thereof, further details of construction of the drawer glides 70, will be given with particular reference to FIG. 8. The glides 70 includes a generally rectangular body 71 having formed integral therewith a mounting shank 72 disposed on one side of the body 71 and having integral therewith positioning studs (not shown) extending laterally therefrom and into an associated opening in the front frame 67 of the drawer support 68, as the case may be. There also is formed in the body 71 an opening (not shown) that connects with a like opening in the shank 72 to receive therethrough the bolt '75. The bolt 75 having a threaded shank engaging in a complementarily threaded opening in the associated front frame 67 or drawer support 68, as the case may be, thereby in cooperation with the positioning stud firmly to mount the glide 70 upon the pedestal 60. The glide body 71 has an upper support surface 76 which is substantially flat and a lower support surface 77 which is also substantially flat. Further details of construction of the glides 70 are set forth in the copending application Ser. No. 503,157, filed Oct. 23, 1965 referred to above.

In order to mount the bracket upon the glides 70, the side walls have been provided integral with the lateral edges of the main wall 151, the side walls 155 being spaced inwardly away from the associated sides of the pedestal 60 as is best seen in FIG. 5. The form of the side walls 155 is substantially that of a rectangle, the lower edge of the side walls 155 having a laterally outwardly extending lower flange 156 thereon which carries on the outer edge thereof a downwardly extending lower wall 157, the lower walls 157 bearing against the associated sides of the front frame 67 and the associated drawer support 68. Each of the lower walls 157 has a forward support surface 158 on the underside thereof, the surface 158 being disposed substantially horizontally in use and being received upon the upper support surface 76 of the associated glide 70. Immediately rearwardly of the forward support surface 158 is a notch 159 useful in the mounting and removing of the typewriter shelf 100 as will be described more fully hereinafter. The rear end of each of the lower walls 157 carries the downwardly and rearwardly directed hook 160 which extends beneath the rearmost associated glide 70 and engages the lower support surface 77 thereon and terminates in an upstanding finger 161 disposed rearwardly with respect to the associated glide 70. When the parts are assembled as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the finger 161 prevents the bracket 150 and the attached top 101 from being shifted longitudinally forwardly.

In order to mount the typewriter shelf 100 in the pedestal 60, the file drawer 63 must be withdrawn to provide clearance for the various parts, after which the mounting bracket 150 is inserted into the drawer-receiving opening. In order properly to seat the mounting bracket 150, the forward end of the typewriter shelf 100 must be tilted upwardly so that the upstanding fingers 161 can pass below and rearwardly with respect to the rearmost glides 70. This can be readily accomplished by first placing the surfaces 168 on the lower edge of the mounting bracket 150 upon the forward glides 70. The typewriter shelf 100 can then be pushed rearwardly into the pedestal while thus supported until the forward glides 70 go into the notches 159 which lowers the entire bracket 150 including the upstanding fingers 161. It also is desirable at this time slightly to tilt the outer end of the top 101 upwardly thus moving the hooks 160 and the fingers 161 downwardly. With the hooks 160 and the fingers 161 beneath the rear glides 70, the typewriter shelf 100 can be further moved inwardly until the forward support surfaces 158 rest upon the forward glides 70 and the hooks 160 are beneath the rear glides 70 and the upstanding fingers 161 are behind and in engagement with the rear glides 70, the position of the parts at this time being that illustrated in FIG. 6. The typewriter shelf 100 is now firmly mounted within the pedestal 60 by engagement with the Opposed pairs of glides 70 with the top 101 extending outwardly in operative position in front of the associated pedestal 60 in cantilever fashion.

In order to remove the mounting bracket 150 and the attached top 101 from the pedestal 60, it is necessary to tilt the outer end of the top 101 upwardly, thereby to move the upper ends of the fingers 161 downwardly below the rear glides 70, after which, if the drawer 63 is open, the typewriter shelf 100 can be bodily shifted forwardly to clear the hooks 160 with respect to the rear glides 70, after which the entire typewriter shelf 100 can be bodily removed from the associated pedestal 60. In other words, the typewriter shelf 100 can be removed from the pedestal 60 by essentially reversing the steps described above for installing the typewriter shelf 100 in the associated pedestal 60.

In order to close the portion of the drawer-receiving opening below the top 101 thereby to improve the appearance of the assembly and to provide security for the contents of the pedestal 60, a front plate 170 has been provided. The front plate 170 is formed from a flat metal sheet bent to provide a generally rectangular main wall 171, a top flange 172 and a bottom flange 174. The main wall 171 extends laterally substantially to close the space between the forward inner edges of the pedestal 60 and extends vertically from immediately above the associated file drawer 63 upwardly to the bottom of the top 101. Formed integral with the upper edge of the main wall 171 is the top flange 172 which is rectangular in shape and extends forwardly with respect to the main wall 171. A plurality .of elongated slots (not shown) is provided in the top flange 172 to receive therethrough a corresponding plurality of selftapping screws 175 that extend upwardly into and engage an associated rib 112, a reinforcing channel 120 on the one hand or the edging 103 on the other hand, as the case may be. There further are provided welds 176 between the main wall 171 and the flanges 154 and 164 on the mounting bracket 150 to provide interconnection therebetween. Finally, the lower edge of the main wall 171 carries the rearwardly directed bottom flange 174 thereon, the flange 174 being disposed substantially normal to the main wall 171.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that when the file drawer 63 is locked in the closed position by means of the locking mechanism including the lock 55 and the latches 58, it is not possible to remove the typewriter shelf 100 from the pedestal 60. As a result, the contents of the pedestal 60 are protected from theft, all without providing a special locking mechanism to hold the typewriter shelf 100 in the locked position thereof. This highly desirable arrangement is achieved by virtue of the fact that there is not sufiicient clearance of the parts to permit the necessary downward movement of the hooks 160 with respect to the rear glides 70 when the drawer 63 is in the fully closed and locked position thereof.

As may be best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the top 101 has the longitudinal centerline thereof coincident with the longitudinal centerline of the reinforcing sheet 110, but these centerlines are not coincident with the centerline of the pedestal 60 or the mounting bracket 150, the centerline of the typewriter shelf 100 being shifted to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 and upwardly as viewed in FIG. 4. If the typewriter shelf 100 is to be used in a righthand pedestal desk, it is then desirable to shift the centerline of the typewriter shelf 100 to the other side with respect to the mounting bracket 150 and with respect to the associated pedestal 60. To this end, a plurality of openings 181 and 182 has been provided that can be aligned respectively with the weld nuts 123 and the openings for the bolts 165, whereby the mounting bracket 150 can be readily shifted with respect to the reinforcing sheet 110 so as to render the typewriter shelf 100 particularly useful for insertion in a righthand pedestal desk.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 19 of the drawings, a second preferred form of typewriter shelf 200 is illustrated in operative position in a single pedestal desk 80, the typewriter shelf 200 being made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. Again for the purposes of illustration, the typewriter shelf 200 has been shown mounted in a lefthand pedestal in the desk 80, but it will be understood that the typewriter shelf 200 could likewise be mounted in a righthand pedestal.

10 The desk includes a desk top 81 at the righthand end of which is mounted the end panel 82 and on the lefthand end of which is mounted a pedestal 90, the end panel 82 and the pedestal 90 being joined by a back panel 83 disposed toward the rear of the desk top 81. Also mounted on the desk top 81 is a lock 85 which operates locking mechanism to lock the drawer in the pedestal in the closed position thereof. In order to support the desk 80 upon an underlying support surface, legs 86 are provided at each of the corners thereof and are connected respectively to the end panel 82, the back panel 83 and the pedestal 90 as the case may be.

The construction of the pedestal 90 is further illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 19 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that there is provided a body that has at the front thereof a substantially rectangular drawer-receiving opening. Disposed immediately adjacent to the drawer-receiving opening in the pedestal 90 is a generally rectangular front frame 97 that extends completely around the drawer-receiving opening in the pedestal 90 and behind which is mounted a pair of vertically arranged drawer supports 98, the drawer supports 98 being in lateral alignment with each other and disposed substantially perpendicular and parallel to the vertical sections of the front frame 97. Mounted on the front frame 97 and on the 'drawer supports 98 are opposed and aligned pairs of drawer glides 70 formed preferablyof a lubric material and identical in construction to the drawer glides 70 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 10, whereby like reference numerals have been applied to like parts throughout. Also mounted in the pedestal 90 is a file drawer 93 that is provided with a handle 94 on the front thereof to facilitate movement of the file drawer 93 inwardly and outwardly with respect to the pedestal 90. There further is provided in the pedestal 90 a latch channel 87 mounted immediately to the rear of the front frame 97 on the outer or lefthand side of the pedestal 90 as viewed in FIG. 16, the latch channel 87 carrying a plurality of latches 88 mounted on a cable 89. The construction and operation of the latch channel 87, the latches 88 and the cable 89 are identical to the parts 57, 58 and 59 respectively which have been described hereinabove. The position of the latches 88 and the cable 89 are controlled by the lock 85 so as to position the latches 88 into and out of engaging position with respect to keepers (not shown) on the drawer, such for example as the drawer 93.

Disposed below the desk top 81 and above the file drawer 93 is an open area in the drawer-receiving opening of the pedestal 90. Disposed in this open area and extending outwardly from the pedestal 90 is a typewriter shelf 200, the typewriter shelf 200 including more particularly a top 201 that is disposed entirely outside of the pedestal 90 and a mounting bracket 251 disposed within the pedestal 90 and engaging a set of the drawer glides 70 to mount the typewriter shelf 200 in the operative position thereof. The top 201 as may be best seen in FIGS.

7 16, 17 and 18 includes a generally flat top plate 202, the

top plate 202 including a first generally rectangular portion of greater dimensions disposed outwardly with respect to the pedestal 90 and a second generally rectangular portion of smaller dimensions extending into the pedestal 90. Disposed beneath the top plate 202, and specifically the portion thereof extending outwardly beyond the pedestal 90, is an edging 203 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially fiat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 204, a side flange 205, a mounting flange 206, an inturned flange 207 and an upturned flange 208, More specifically, the attachment flange 204 is disposed against the underside of the top plate 202 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the attachment flange 204 carrying thereon the mounting flange 206 which is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 202 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 205 is integral with the mounting flange 206 and depends therefrom and is disposed substantially normal thereto. There is provided on the lower edge of the side flange 205, a lower trim mounting member including the inturned flange 207 carrying on the inner edge thereof the upstanding trim holding flange 208 for holding a decorative trim 238 thereon formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin such as an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. As may be best seen in FIG. 15 of the drawings, the edging 203 extends completely along the forward edge of the typewriter shelf 200, along the entire lateral edges of the typewriter shelf 200 and only part way inwardly along the edge of the top 201 disposed toward the pedestal 90. It further will be seen that the attachment flanges 204 are cut out as at 209 at the several corners to permit bending of the remaining portions thereof without providing overlapping of the attachment flanges 204.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 202 and extending from the forward or bottom edge thereof as viewed in FIG. 15 the rearmost or upper edge thereof as viewed in FIG. 15 is a reinforcing sheet 210 formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide attachment portions 211, ribs 212 having side walls 213, and connecting portions 214 on the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 211 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 202, there being a body of mastic 215 applied therebetween (see FIG. 16), the preferred mastic being a heat curing mastic sold under the trademark Presstite No. 719. The attachment portions 211 are further connected to the top plate 202 by welding as at 216, whereby both the mastic 215 and the welds 216 serve to interconnect the attachment portions 211 and the top plate 202 to provide a firm connection therebetween, the mastic 215 also serving to deaden sound transmission therebetween. The side walls 213 depend downwardly from the attachment portion 211 to form the ribs 212 that are spaced from the underside of the top plate 202. The connecting portions 214 where necessary are offset from the underside of the top plate 202 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flanges 204 on the edging 203, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding at 216.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 202, and particularly on the portion thereof disposed outwardly with respect to the pedestal 90, see FIG. 17, is a covering 225, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, the preferred materials being those sold under the trademarks Textolite, Micarta and Formica. An adhesive is applied both to the upper surface of the top plate 202 and the lower surface of the covering 225 to provide a good bond therebetween, the preferred adhesive being a synthetic rubber resin adhesive of the contact type such as that sold under the trademark D500 by Armstrong Cork Co., the two parts being oven heated to about 200 F. to drive off the volatile ingredients in the adhesive. The outer edge of the covering 225 extends slightly beyond the outer edge of the top plate 202 (see FIG. 11), the upper outer corner being cut away as at 226.

There is provided around the periphery of the top 201, and specifically the portion around which are disposed the edging 203 as illustrated in FIG. 15, a decorative trim 230, see FIG. 11 particularly. The trim 230 is preferably formed of sheet metal, the preferred material being stainless steel which is bent to provide an outer wall 231, a top flange 232, a bottom flange 233, a curved portion 234, a mounting tongue 235 and an inner end 236. As illustrated, the outer wall 231 is disposed essentially vertically and carries on the upper edge thereof the top flange 232 that extends inwardly and slightly upwardly from the outer wall 231 and abuts against the edge of the covering 225 at the notch 226. The lower edge of the outer wall 231 extends downwardly at least to the top of the edging 203 and carries on the lower end thereof the bottom flange 233 that extends inwardly toward the space provided between the underside of the top plate 202 and the upper side of the mounting flange 206. The curved portion 234 extends upwardly from the bottom flange 233 to bear against the under surface of the top plate 202, and the mounting tongue 235 extends downwardly therefrom and presses against the upper surface of the mounting flange 206, and the inner end 236 is integral therewith and extends upwardly to contact the underside of the top plate 202. Prior to the mounting of the trim 230 and in the normal condition thereof, the curved portion 234 and the mounting tongue 235 and the inner end 236 combine to provide a thickness or vertical extent greater than the distance between the top plate 202 and the mounting flange 206, whereby in the driving of the mounting tongue 235 thereinto, the tongue 235 is resiliently deformed with the curved portion 234 and the inner end 236 being resiliently pressed against the underside of the top plate 202 and the mounting tongue 235 being resiliently urged against the upper surface of the mounting flange 206, thereby resiliently to hold the trim 230 in the mounted position around the periphery of the top 201.

Reinforcement is provided for the inner ends of the edging 203, i.e., the free ends disposed toward the reinforcing sheet 210 adjacent to the forward edge of the pedestal 90, by a pair of reinforcement brackets 240, see FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 particularly. Each of the brackets 240 includes a first arm 241 suitably connected as by welding to the associated edging 203, and particularly to the inner surface of the side flange 205 thereof, and each includes a second arm 242 integral with the first arm 241 and disposed against the outer surface of the adjacent side wall 213 of the reinforcing sheet 210 and suitably secured thereto as by welding.

In order firmly and readily to mount the typewriter shelf 200 in the operative position within the pedestal 90, a pair of mounting brackets 250 has been provided, the construction and connections of the brackets 250 being best illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19 of the drawings. The brackets 250 are identical in construction one to the other except that they are formed as mirror images of each other, and accordingly, only one of the mounting brackets 250 will be described in detail and like reference numerals applied to like parts in both. Each of the brackets 250 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to provide a main wall 251, an offset wall 252, an upper wall 253, a top flange 254, a front flange 255, a lower flange 256, a lower wall 257, a forward support surface 258 and a hook 260. More specifically, the main wall 251 is generally rectangular in shape (see FIG. 17) and has a rear edge extending downwardly and rearwardly to the right as illustrated therein and extends from a point just rearwardly of the front edge of the pedestal rearwardly to the associated drawer support 98. Extending along the entire upper edge of the main wall 251 and directed outwardly therefrom is the offset wall 252 which in turn carries on the upper edge thereof the upstanding upper wall 253 that is offset outwardly with respect to the main wall 251 but is disposed parallel with respect thereto.

Extending inwardly from the upper edge of the upper wall 252, is the top flange 254 which extends over and rests upon the upper surface of the top plate 202 and is suitably secured thereto as by welding. From FIG. 17 it will be seen that the top plate 202 also carries a downwardly directed rear flange 217 thereon which extends downwardly along the rear edge thereof to overlie the rear end of the reinforcing sheet 210. It will be seen therefore that each of the mounting brackets 250 is fixedly secured to the top plate 202 as may be best seen in FIG. 16, the forward edge of the main wall 251 carrying the inwardly directed front flange 255 thereon extending inwardly therefrom and substantially normal thereto, the front flanges 255 of the two brackets 250 lying in the same plane.

The mounting brackets 250 are mounted upon two pairs of the drawer glides 70 and to this end each of the main walls 251 has a laterally outwardly extending lower flange 256 thereon which carries on the outer edge thereof a downwardly extending lower wall 257, the lower wall 257 bearing against the associated sides of the front frame 97 and the associated drawer support 98. Each of the lower walls 257 has a forward support surface 258 on the underside thereof, the urface 258 being disposed substantially horizontally in use and being received upon the upper support surface 76 of the associated glides 70. Immediately rearwardly of the forward support surface 258 is a notch 259 useful in the mounting and removing of the typewriter shelf 200 as will be described more fully hereinafter. The rear end of each of the lower walls 257 carries the downwardly and rearwardly directed hook 260 which extends beneath the rearmost associated glide 70 and engages the lower support surface 77 thereon and terminates in an upstanding finger 261 disposed rearwardly with respect to the associated glide 70. When the parts are assembled as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the finger 261 prevents the brackets 250 and the attached top 201 from being shifted longitudinally forwardly.

In order to close the portion of the drawer-receiving opening not filled by the top 201 thereby to improve the appearance of the assembly and to provide security for the contents of the pedestal 90, a front plate 270 has been provided. The front plate 270 is formed from a flat metal sheet bent to provide a generally rectangular main wall 271, a top flange 272, an opening 273 through which extends the top 201, a bottom flange 274 and an intermediate flange 275. The main wall 271 extends laterally substantially to close the space between the forward inner edges of the pedestal 90 and extends vertically from immediately above the associated file drawer 93 upwardly to the bottom of the desk top 81. Formed integral with the upper edge of the main wall 271 is the top flange 272 which is rectangular in shape and extends rearwardly with respect to the main wall 271 and substantially to the forward edge of the front frame 97. As is best seen in FIGS. 15 and 17, the narrower rear portion of the top plate 202 and the rear portion of the reinforcing sheet 210 extend through the substantially rectangular opening 273 in the main wall 271, the flange 275 being integral with the upper edge defining the opening 273 and extending rearwardly therefrom and overlying the top plate 202 and suitably secured thereto as by welding; the lateral extent of the flange 275 is slightly less than the lateral extent of the opening 273. The lower edge of the main wall 271 carries a rearwardly directed bottom flange 274 thereon, the flange 274 being disposed substantially normal to the main wall 271 and extending rearwardly to the forward edge of the front frame 97. Finally, there further are provided welds between the main wall 271 and the flanges 255 thereby directly to interconnect the mounting brackets 250 and the front plate 270.

In order to mount the typewriter shelf 200 in the pedestal 90, the file drawer 93 must be withdrawn to provide clearance for the various parts, after which the mounting brackets 250 are inserted into the drawerreceiving opening. In order properly to seat the mounting brackets 250, the forward end of the typewriter shelf 200 must be tilted upwardly so that the upstanding fingers 261 are moved downwardly to pass below and rearwardly with respect to the rearmost glides 70. This can be readily accomplished by first placing the surfaces 268 on the lower edge of the mounting brackets Z50 upon the forward glide 70. The typewriter shelf 200 can then be pushed rearwardly into the pedestal while thus supported until the forward glides 70 go into the notches 259 which lowers the entire brackets 250 including the upstanding fingers 261. At this time it is possible slightly to tilt the outer end of the top 201 upwardly thus moving the books 260 and the fingers 261' downwardly. With the hooks 260 and the fingers 261 beneath the rear glides 70, the typewriter shelf 200 can be further moved inwardly until the forward support surfaces 258 rest upon the forward glides 70 and the hooks 260 are beneath the rear glides 70 and the upstanding fingers 261 are behind and in engagement with the rear glides 70, the position of the parts at this time being that illustrated in FIG. 17. The typewriter shelf 200 is now firmly mounted within the pedestal by engagement with the opposed pairs of glides 70 with the top 201 extending outwardly in operative position in front of the associated pedestal 9% in cantilever fashion.

In order to remove the mounting brackets 250 and the attached top 201 from the pedestal 90, it is necessary first to move the drawer 93 outwardly to the open position thereof. The outer end of the top 201 is then tilted upwardly as the typewriter shelf 200 is moved outwardly, thereby to move the upper ends of the fingers 261 downwardly below the rear glides 70. Continued movement of the typewriter shelf 200 outwardly soon permits the brackets 250 to shift downwardly when the notches 259 are in registration with the front glides 70, after which the typewriter shelf 200- can be bodily shifted forwardly to clear the hooks 260 with respect to the rear glides '70. The typewriter shelf 200 can then be bodily removed from the pedestal 90 by essentially reversing the steps described above for installing the typewriter shelf 200 in the associated pedestal 90.

As may be best seen in FIG. 15 of the drawings, the top 201 has the longitudinal centerline thereof coincident with the longitudinal centerline of the reinforcing sheet 210 and also coincident with the centerline of the pedestal 90. Accordingly, the typewriter shelf 200 can be readily utilized in either a lefthand pedestal desk or a righthand pedestal desk without any modification or change therein whatsoever. Finally, as is also seen in FIG. 15, there can be provided along the longitudinal edges of the top 201 a pair of downwardly extending threaded studs 280 for facilitating attachment thereto of a modesty panel, all as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 20 to 27 of the drawings there is illustrated a further modification of the typewriter shelf wherein a modesty panel 300 is provided on the underside of the associated typewriter shelf 10! and positioned toward the outer edge thereof substantially to close and screen off the space between the forward outer edge of the pedestal 60 and the forward edge of the typewriter shelf 100. The modesty panel 300 has been illustrated as applied to the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 of the drawings, whereby like reference numerals have been applied to like parts thereof. In order to accommodate the mounting of the modesty panel 300 thereon, the typewriter shelf has been slightly modified by mounting thereon along the outer longitudinal edge thereof a pair of downwardly extending threaded studs secured thereto as by welding to the edging flange 104.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 23 to 27, it will be seen that the modesty panel 300 includes a pair of substantially rectangular side walls 310 and 320 formed of sheet metal and disposed substantially parallel to each other. More specifically the'outer side wall 310 includes a main panel 311 generally rectangular in shape and carrying on the upper edge thereof a Z-shaped mounting flange 312 which extends inwardly and has openings therethrough to receive the threaded studs 180, the longitudinal extent of the mounting flange 312 being slightly less than that of the modesty panel 300, see FIG. 26. The side edges of the main wall 311 are provided with side flanges 313 which extend from the upper edge of the main Wall 311 downwardly to the lower edge thereof, the side flanges 313 extending inwardly substantially normal to the main wall 311 and in the same direction as the mounting flange 312. The lower edge of the main wall 311 carries a bottom flange 314 which is also disposed substantially normal to the main wall 311 and extends therefrom in the same direction as the mounting flange 312 and the side flanges 313.

The inner side wall 320 includes a generally rectangular main wall 321 having substantially the same shape and extent as the main wall 311 and integral with the upper edge thereof is an upstanding narrower portion 322 (see FIG. 26) that carries on the upper edge thereof an inwardly directed mounting flange 323. The mounting flange 323 has a pair of openings therein to receive therethrough the mounting studs 180, the mounting flange 323 lying against the adjacent portion of the mounting flange 312 and both being held in the operative position by a pair of nuts 18 1 respectively engaging the threaded studs 180. The lower end of the main wall 321 carries an inwardly directed bottom flange 324 that lies upon the upper surface of the bottom flange 314 and is preferably secured thereto as by welding. The vertically extending edges of the main wall 321 also carry outwardly directed flanges 325 that lie inside of the side flanges 313 and are suitably secured thereto as by welding.

Disposed between the side walls 310 and 320 is a filler 330 of cellular construction and formed of a paper product, the filler 330 extending substantially throughout the area between the main walls 311 and 321. The filler 330 is more specifically formed from a pair of outer layers 331 (see FIG. 24) adhesively secured to an inner body 332 of honeycomb construction and more specifically formed from suitably bent strips of paper 333 and 334 having adjacent surfaces glued together as is best illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. The filler 330 is further secured by the bodies of mastic 335 to the inner surfaces of the modesty panel side walls 310 and 320 throughout substantially the entire adjacent areas thereof, whereby to form a strong yet lightweight structure that has good sound deadening properties. The mastic 335 is preferably a heavy bodied, short, water dispersed asphalt adhesive such as that sold under the trademark W870 by Armstrong Cork Co. or EC 2168 by the Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co.

It further is desirable to provide on the bottom of the modesty panel 300 a leg 350, and to this end there is provided in the modesty panel 300 a leg mounting bracket 340 (see FIGS. 23 and 27 particularly). The bracket 340 includes a main wall 341 that is generally rectangular in shape and is suitably secured as by welding at 342 to the inner side wall 320 and particularly the main wall 321 thereof adjacent to the lower edge thereof and immediately above the bottom flange 324 thereof. A pair of outwardly directed flanges 343 is provided on the upper and lower edges of the main wall 341, the lower flange 343 having an opening therein in alignment with an opening in the bottom flanges 314 and 324, and the upper flange 343 having a threaded opening therein to receive the threaded upper end of the leg 350.

The leg 350 is essentially a cylindrical rod 351 having a diameter less than the distance between the main walls 311 and 321, the upper end of the rod 351 being threaded as at 352 to engage the threaded opening in the upper flange 343. The lower end of the rod 351 carries a rubber foot 352 suitably secured thereto for engagement with an underlying support surface. Due to the threaded connection between the upper end 352 of the rod 351 and the mounting bracket 340, the position of the rod with respect to the modesty panel 300 can be adjusted to accommodate variations in the underlying support surface and the like.

It will be understood that the modesty panel 300 can also be mounted beneath the typewriter shelf 200, the threaded studs 280 on the typewriter shelf 200 being utilized in place of the threaded studs 180 on the typewriter shelf 100. It also will be clear that by providing a second pair of threaded studs 180 on the other longitudinal side of the typewriter shelf 100, the modesty panel 300 can be shifted to the other side if it is desired to utilize the typewriter shelf 100 in a righthand pedestal on a desk. Likewise, the other side of the threaded studs 280 on the typewriter shelf 200 can be utilized for mounting the modesty panel 300 thereon if it is desired to use the type- 16 writer shelf 200 in the righthand pedestal of the associated desk.

Fundamentally, the typewriter shelf 100, the typewriter shelf 200 and the modesty panel 300 are all formed of sheet metal with the exception of the several parts mentioned during the above description. Furthermore, the sheet metal forming the various parts is of relatively light gauge, as will be appreciated from the following examples of the gauge of the sheet metal utilized to form the various parts thereof. For example, the top plates 102 and 202 are formed of 20 gauge steel; the edgings 103 and 203 are formed of 18 gauge steel; the reinforcing sheets and 210 are formed of 24 gauge steel; and the reinforcing channels are formed of 16 gauge steel. The mounting bracket and the mounting brackets 250 are formed of 12 gauge steel; the reinforcing brackets 140 and 240 are formed of 14 gauge steel; and the front plates and 270 are formed of 16 gauge steel. In an illustrative example of the modesty panel 300, the side walls 310 and 320 are formed of 24 gauge steel; the leg attachment brackets 340 are formed of 18 gauge steel; and the rod 351 of the leg 350 has a diameter of From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided an insertable typewriter shelf and a modesty panel therefor which fulfill all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, there has been provided an improved shelf construction, and specifically an improved typewriter shelf or typewriter platform which is insertable in and mountable upon a desk pedestal, the typewriter shelf being essentially formed of sheet metal and being simple in construction and economical in manufacture. The improved typewriter shelf is of a type that is insertable in a drawer opening in the desk pedestal and including structure to engage a system of drawer supporting glides mounted within the pedestal, a positive locking of the typewriter shelf in position being achieved without a separate and distinct locking mechanism. Finally, a modesty panel has been provided on the improved shelf construction, the modesty panel being mounted on the underside of the shelf adjacent to one of the longitudinally extending edges thereof and extending downwardly toward the underlying support surface.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pedestal and shelf construction comprising a pedestal including a body having a front drawer-receiving opening therein, a front pair of glides respectively mounted on the opposite inner sides of said body in general horizontal alignment, a rear pair of glides respectively mounted on the inner sides of said body in general horizontal alignment and in general longitudinal alignment with said front pair of glides, and a shelf mounted in said pedestal and extending outwardly therefrom through said front drawer-receiving opening, said shelf including a substantially fiat top plate extending outwardly from said pedestal and mounting bracket structure disposed within said pedestal and fixedly secured to said top plate, said mounting bracket structure having a pair of forward support surfaces disposed respectively upon said front pair of glides and a pair of books engaged respectively beneath said rear pair of glides, thereby to mount said shelf in said pedestal with said top plate extending outwardly therefrom and supported in cantilever fashion with respect thereto, said mounting bracket structure serving to mount said shelf within said pedestal for ready disassembly therefrom and ready mounting therein without the use of tools and the like.

2. The pedestal and shelf construction set forth in claim 1, wherein said glides are formed of a lubric synthetic organic plastic resin. 

1. A PEDESTAL AND SHELF CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A PEDESTAL INCLUDING A BODY HAVING A FRONT DRAWER-RECEIVING OPENING THEREIN, A FRONT PAIR OF GLIDES RESPECTIVELY MOUNTED ON THE OPPOSITE INNER SIDES OF SAID BODY IN GENERAL HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT, A REAR PAIR OF GLIDES RESPECTIVELY MOUNTED ON THE INNER SIDES OF SAID BODY IN GENERAL HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT AND IN GENERAL LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FRONT PAIR OF GLIDES, AND A SHELF MOUNTED IN SAID PEDESTAL AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM THROUGH SAID FRONT DRAWER-RECEIVING OPENING, SAID SHELF INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT TOP PLATE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID PEDESTAL AND MOUNTING BRACKET STRUCTURE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID PEDESTAL AND FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID TOP PLATE, SAID MOUNTING BRACKET STRUCTURE HAVING A PAIR OF FORWARD SUPPORT SURFACES DISPOSED RESPECTIVELY UPON SAID FRONT PAIR OF GLIDES AND A PAIR OF HOOKS ENGAGED RESPECTIVELY BENEATH SAID REAR PAIR OF GLIDES, THEREBY TO MOUNT SAID SHELF IN SAID PEDESTAL WITH SAID TOP PLATE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND SUPPORTED IN CANTILEVER FASHION WITH RESPECT THERETO, SAID MOUNTING BRACKET STRUCTURE SERVING TO MOUNT SAID SHELF WITHIN SAID PEDESTAL FOR READY DISASSEMBLY THEREFROM AND READY MOUNTING THEREIN WITHOUT THE USE OF TOOLS AND THE LIKE. 